Week two of the Yukon election campaign has concluded, with significant activity despite the shortened week due to Thanksgiving. The Liberals were the first party to unveil their complete platform, emphasizing housing, healthcare, public safety, and affordability. Leader Mike Pemberton focused on the party’s accomplishments in government rather than distancing himself from the previous era.
A key feature of the Liberal platform is the Yukon-B.C. grid connect project, which aims to address criticisms of insufficient green energy infrastructure. A study by the Yukon Development Corp. highlighted the project’s potential benefits, including substantial GDP growth, revenue from power sales to mines, job creation, and reduction of C02 emissions.
The Yukon Party has not released its platform yet but has made significant pledges. They plan to revamp the education department, cancel a controversial school location, enhance rural school infrastructure, increase school maintenance, and provide more educational support staff. Additionally, the party aims to boost the territorial economy by reducing regulations, privatizing cannabis distribution, and updating mining legislation.
The NDP has not unveiled its full platform but has discussed expanding trades training and education. They intend to increase apprenticeships, hire additional education assistants and teachers, and construct a new elementary school in downtown Whitehorse. The party also proposes decentralizing government jobs, implementing a “values-based procurement policy,” and addressing housing issues by creating new housing units for various demographics.
Overall, each party in the Yukon election campaign is focusing on key issues such as economic growth, education reform, and housing affordability. Stay tuned for more updates as the campaign progresses.